to be shit scared of going to the dentist

[nervouschick]

i have name changed for this as i am so embarassed

haven't been to the dentist for nearly 10 years (i know, i know) and i have booked me and the DC in who have also never been (they are 2 and 4)

it isn't for 2 weeks but i am shitting it. absolutely shitting it.

i am both embarassed about my teeth than scared of needing work (although i think i will) i was always scared of the dentist growing up so avoided it where possible. and i don't want to pass that fear on to my dc.

i am very hot on dental hygiene, brush twice a day with an electric brush, use mouthwash and floss but i have 2 back teeth that broke about 8 years ago and now they are both rotten and black (i am so embarassed to admit this)
however the rest of my teeth seem fine and actualy look nice, they are quite white and straight. but i am so ashamed of the black ones at the back, and also scared what will need to be done with them. and i am scared theres going to be problems with the dcs teeth as well (although there shouldnt be as i am v hot on their teeth brushing too and also limit sweet stuff etc)

someone tell me to get a grip please :( and tell me it will be ok.

lots of good advice here especialy jonnyfan re numbing spray best thing out for impressions as if you gag then it has to be re-done it made my life much easier too....

:) at getting a thumbs up from a real-life Dentist!

Good luck! Sounds like Sarah gave you better advice than I could. I am a little nervous of the dentist, but I always go and nothing bad or terrible has ever happened, even with wisdom teeth extractions, a root canal, and fillings. Modern dentistry is a wonderful thing. Novocaine and indoor plumbing are my top two modern comforts!

OP... this is a timely thread.

I went to the dentist today for the first time in almost 30 years! Yes 30 years.

I was sobbing like a baby, but this dentist came highly recommended by a friend who was as severely phobic as me and got over it. We both used to say we'd rather give birth than even open our mouths for dentist. That's how bad we were. It did make a huge difference having a friend who knew exactly where I was coming from though. She let me sit in with her for her last appointment, just to get me through the door and to meet the lovely dentist.

Today I had a filling and I honestly, hand on heart, never felt a single twinge of pain. He told me to raise my hand straight away if I felt anything, which gave me some control. And it was a back molar and hard to get at.

Dentistry is nothing like I remember it from my teenage years, when I gave up going because the horrid dentist yanked my teeth out with no warning and then slapped me when I yelled a bit.

No real advice, only that I know how you feel, my fear of dentists come from when I was 14 and had 2 fillings and was given no pain relief this was only 11 years ago. I have only been twice since both when I was 17, once to have a check up (where I cried, and shook, had a panic attack and passed out ) and the next visit a week after where I was knocked out to have a root canal after being referred to a sedation clinic for nervous patients) The thought of even looking for a dentist brings me out in a cold sweat, so you are doing a million times better than me

it's really ok to be afraid , and it's not even an irrational fear, we can all remember the denists drill hurting like hell , times have changed though, the sedation is better and denists tend to be more sensitive to a patients fear these days , but, it's really ok to be afraid.
i dont like flying, and i dont like injections , but i would rather have an injection on a plane than go to the dentists !